Mini Book Reviews

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This year, I’m aiming to read 50 books! Here are the mini reviews of the books I’ve read in the last month:

6. Bossypantsto be honest, I didn’t really have a good idea of who Tina Fey was but I’d read really great reviews about her book and so I bought it on a whim. I’m so glad that I did! This book is actually a short autobiography of American comedian Tina Fey herself. It’s a witty and funny account of her life, life lessons and an interesting read on how she got to where she is today. She’s an inspirational woman and I might just have to go back and watch old reruns of 30 Rock now!

7. Long Walk to Freedom – wow, just wow. I have to admit it was a pretty slow start for me as there was so much information to digest from a place and culture that I knew next to nothing about but I’m so glad that I persevered. Nelson Mandela’s story begins from his birth in 1918 and follows his extraordinary path throughout life as he takes up the struggle against racial oppression in South Africa. His story left me with a greater understanding of the importance of standing up for what you believe in and just how fortunate I am to live in Australia in this day and age.

8. Maestra – with full disclosure, I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway (yay!). I knew this book was a thriller but beyond that, I didn’t know what to expect. Judith works as an assistant in an art auction house in London, where she desperately tries to prove herself so she can make her big break in the art world. Unfortunately, she uncovers what looks to be an art conspiracy and in trying to do the right thing, gets fired, which sets off a chain of events that will change her life. Judith makes an unlikely heroine and I really struggled to like her in the first half of the book. By the end of the book though, I was cheering her on and I’m looking forward to the sequel. Readers be warned, this book is 50 Shades of Grey meets Tom Ripley and isn’t for everyone!

9. Wizard of Oz – I remember watching the 1939 movie years ago as a child and falling in love with the story and its characters. I’ve always associated Wizard of Oz with this movie, so I was surprised to find out that it was based on a book! Penguin Books have a collection of beautiful clothbound classics and I just had to pick up this edition to read. With the exception of a few superficial differences, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the movie stayed fairly true to the book. As a children’s book, it was simple to read and I look forward to the day I get to share this amazing world with my future child!

10. Room – I bought this book based on the movie trailer. I still haven’t watched the movie yet but if it’s anything like the book, it’s going to be a heartbreaking story. The story is told from the perspective of 5 year old Jack, who lives with his Ma in Room. Room is his entire world as his Ma has protectively created for him. This sets the scene as his world is turned upside down when he learns, not without much resistance and disbelief, that there is in fact a real world out there and they need to escape. This book seems to have had a polarising effect on readers but I personally thought it was great writing from a unique perspective.

To read my previous book reviews, click here.

To see what I’m currently reading, follow me on Goodreads here.

The above links are affiliate links that at no extra cost to you, will earn me a small commission should you choose to click and purchase any items. Thanks for your support!

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31 Moments for My 31st Birthday

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To celebrate my birthday this weekend, I’ve put together a list of my top 31 moments for my 31st birthday:

  1. Starting the year by jumping out of a plane
  2. Surviving planning 2 weddings
  3. Marrying the love of my life
  4. Enjoying our first breakfast as a married couple
  5. Watching our wedding video for the very first time
  6. Celebrating our marriage all over again in Singapore
  7. Enjoying the best hen’s day and night ever!
  8. Testing wedding cake flavours with my sisters
  9. Seeing our amazing wedding photos for the very first time
  10. Receiving our mini wedding album and framed photos
  11. Making our own candles for the wedding
  12. Honeymooning in South Korea
  13. Visiting Hello Kitty Island on Jeju Island
  14. Shopping it up big in Myeongdong
  15. Seeing our first snowfall in Seoul
  16. Attending my husband’s fellowship graduation ceremony
  17. Giving our first ang bao’s as a married couple
  18. Starting my blog up second time around
  19. Watching Wicked with my youngest sister
  20. Watching Lion King with my husband
  21. Enjoying Christmas lunch at Bib and Tucker with friends
  22. Catching up with good friends and making some new ones
  23. Going to the movies with my husband
  24. Enjoying reading again and discovering some amazing books
  25. Eating way too many oysters at The Oyster Frenzy
  26. Discovering Serial podcasts
  27. Knitting my first scarf
  28. Swimming in the ocean for the first time in years
  29. Being back in Melbourne
  30. Going to my first male stripclub!
  31. Getting back into the groove of things again
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Documenting Intentions for 2016

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With 2016 in full swing, I’ve been thinking about how best to document this year. In the last few years I’ve documented the year in some shape or form, and I’ve always loved going back through my old albums. It’s amazing how much a single photo can bring back such vivid memories and also so scary how easily I forget otherwise!

In saying that though, I’ve got a lot on my plate at the moment and I have last year’s failed attempt at documenting every day freshly in mind. With my goal to simplify everything this year, I’ve decided to stick to creating mini albums of key events such as holidays as they happen and create a photo book of my favourite moments/photos at the end of the year. With my goal of scrapbooking old holidays and 2015 as well, that should keep me busy!

 

 

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Bangkok, Thailand Photo Album

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This photo album is the last album I’ve put together capturing our South East Asia trip in 2012.

Unlike the earlier parts of our trip, Bangkok was a refreshing return back to the more familiar sprawling shopping centres, air conditioned restaurants and room service. It sounds terrible I know and my now husband and I did have a great time overall but the culture shock, falling terribly sick and constantly being alert to potential scams had us longing for familiar creature comforts by the end of our trip.

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Bangkok was an amazing city. We started off by visiting a few of the main historical sites, temples and museum. Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, was by far one of the most captivating places we visited. The buildings are beautifully decorated and it seems as if everything is covered in gold and jewels that sparkle brightly in the hot sun.

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Once we finished with the sights, we spent the rest of our short time in Bangkok exploring the main city centre and letting our feet guide the way. We enjoyed refreshing drinks and snacks from street vendors, I got some nail art done, did a spot of shopping and of course, we ate lots of good food!

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I’m so glad that we ended our South East Asia trip in Bangkok and it was a fantastic place to ring in the New Year!

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The details:

Album from Takashimaya, Singapore
Photos printed at Target
Journal cards from KaiserCraft
Photo overlays from Project Life
Letter stickers from My Minds Eye, Dear Lizzy, Creativ and American Crafts

To see my Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam album, click here.

To see my Siem Reap, Cambodia and Koh Samui, Thailand album, click here.

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No New Makeup Challenge Update

In line with my one word this year, simplify, I’m embarking on a no new clothing and makeup challenge.

We’re now into March and so far, so good! The first thing I did was unsubscribe from a whole bunch of makeup Youtube channels and the second was unsubscribing from any makeup email lists. So not only am I resisting any temptation to buy things, I’ve also given myself more time to focus on other things and decluttering my inbox. Double yay! There’s something also so intrinsically satisfying in using something up until it’s finished rather than buying new things all the time and having a few open and unfinished bottles/jars laying around.

To be honest there’s not too much more I can update you on (unless I fall off the bandwagon). Things are going well and I haven’t bought anything I shouldn’t have, so I thought I’d provide an update every few months and also give you a rundown of what I’ve been loving these past few months.

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With Summer in full swing, the last few months have been pretty hot. The day’s average around 27 – 30 degrees and around 15 degrees at night. I love the heat but it can be quite drying for the skin, so I’ve been focusing on moisturising and keeping things light. Starting clockwise from the left, I’ve been using non-stop this Summer:

Makeup Geek Blushes – when the blushes first came out, I bought 3 different colours to try out. I loved them so much that I bought the 9 blush bundle special when it was in stock late last year. Unfortunately it doesn’t look like Makeup Geek offer the bundle anymore but it’s still worth checking out as it’s a great quality product for a great price. My current go to blushes this Summer are Bliss, Smitten and Spellbound.

Benefit Benebalm – truth be told, I fell in love with the packaging long before I fell in love with the product! When I found out that it was a tinted lipgloss, I was sold! I’m not a big fan of lipsticks so this sheer, rose tinted lipbalm is perfect for me. It smells like roses and is so smooth to put on. I’ve worn it almost everyday since I’ve purchased it and will definitely be repurchasing this once my makeup ban is over!

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 – this lipbalm has been the perfect accompaniment to Summer for me as it’s brought new life to my chapped lips and prevents my lips from getting sunburnt. It smells great, like sugar actually, and a little goes a long way.

Aesop Rind Concentrate Body Balm – sadly, I’ve almost used this all up but it was fantastic while it lasted! It’s a mix of orange rind, pink grapefruit and lemon rind, which smells absolutely amazing! It applies lightly on the skin and absorbs quickly. The citrus smells are perfect for Summer.

Natio Daily Defence Face Moisturiser SPF 50+ – I actually stole this from my husband and have been using this almost exclusively for myself! I’m fanatical about applying SPF on my face before leaving the house and I’ve been using this under my foundation. For a moisturiser that has such a high SPF, it’s surprisingly light, scent free and absorbs quickly. Three big ticks from me!

Etude House Moistfull Collagen Emulsion – Etude House is one of my favourite Korean makeup brands so I thought I’d check out their skincare range when I went to South Korea last year. I picked up a few items from their Moistfull Collagen range and I’ve been pleasantly surprised with this cream. It contains particles of collagen water and Baobab water to assist with moisture retention and firmness. Since it doesn’t have SPF, I mainly use this as a night cream and I love how my skin feels so smooth and soft the next morning.

Macaron Eyes Eyeshadow Kit – I usually gravitate towards the same 2 eyeshadows everyday so I’ve been trying to rotate my eyeshadow palettes to get some good use out of them. I picked up this eyeshadow kit from a pharmacy in Singapore and it contains light shimmery neutrals that I’ve been using for daily wear. The pigmentation isn’t great but I don’t mind as I only use it to lightly highlight my lids before putting my eyeliner on. I’m also a sucker for the packaging!

The majority of the above links are affiliate links that at no extra cost to you, will earn me a small commission should you choose to click and purchase any items. Thanks for your support!

What products have you been loving this Summer?

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Yarn + Co

On my recent trip to Melbourne I visited Yarn + Co, a small wool and yarn store in Fitzroy.

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It’s a charming little store and stocks a variety of yarn from different brands. The prices are higher than a standard craft or department store but so too is the quality. As someone who’s new to knitting I spent quite a bit of time in the store, marvelling at the colours, wool mixes and where they were made.

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I’m planning on knitting something for my mum so in the end I decided to purchase 2 chunky balls of yarn from Cascade Yarns in conservative grey and white. It’s made in Peru and is 100% Peruvian Highland wool. When it comes to chunky yarn, I’ve struggled to find much variety at my local Spotlight store so I was excited to purchase these.

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There was a lady in the store who in hindsight I think was the owner and she was very friendly in giving me some tips and suggestions. She’s been knitting seriously for around 35 years and I hope that I continue with my newfound hobby just as long as her!

Yarn + Co
59 Smith Street
Fitzroy VIC 3065

 

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5 Alternative Things To Do In Melbourne

Melbourne is one of my favourite cities to visit. It’s a city filled with art, culture, fashion, fantastic coffee, mouthwatering food, and so much more! Every time I make a trip back, I make a plan to explore different parts of the city. There are so many nooks and crannies filled with gems waiting to be discovered!

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For those who want to explore or want to do something a little bit different, here is my guide of alternative things to do:

1. Get lost and wander the streets

Toss out your travel guide and wander around the streets. You’ll find little boutique stores, street art, laneways, coffee shops and street vendors that you wouldn’t otherwise stumble upon. I like to make my way from one side of the street to the end and back up the other side.

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Recommended streets to explore include:

  • Brunswick Street – alternative shops, cafes, books, stationery
  • Smith Street – vintage clothing, knitting and yarn, cafes
  • Gertrude Street – unique design pieces, jewellery, art, luxury boutiques, hobby and toys
  • Lygon Street – restaurants, cafes, kitchenware, spices

2. Relax and read a book in a cafe 

In Melbourne there’s no shortage of good cafe’s but only a few where you can relax without feeling the pressure to move on. Here are 2 cafe’s that I found on my recent trip:

Cafe Giraffe is a charming cafe that has a small shop front – blink and you’ll miss it! Don’t be fooled though as there’s a larger space through the back that’s intricately decorated with a distinctly Korean flair. In the middle of the room there’s an amazing tree that’s been decorated with notes and other baubles. Just like the cafe, the menu is homely and affordable. The service is friendly and it’s the perfect place to spend a quiet afternoon to read a book.

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1000 Pound Bend is loud, vibrant and has a mismatched op shop feel. The former motorbike shop occupies a large space and is a hybrid cafe, restaurant and bar. There’s also a gallery space at the back and a cocktail bar upstairs. During the day, it’s a popular spot but there’s no pressure to leave. The booths by the wall have powerpoints so you can recharge while you spend a leisurely afternoon reading. There’s something for everyone on the menu and the coffee is good too.

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3. See a show at Dracula’s

For something a little bit different, you have to go and see a show at Dracula’s!

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I guarantee that it’ll be unlike anything you’ll ever experience. Expect inappropriate cabaret, wicked comedy and an overall outrageous performance by a group of very talented vampires! The food is surprisingly good and the service is fantastic.

4. Visit some night markets

During the Summer months, Melbourne has a variety of night markets that you can explore.

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South Melbourne Night Markets are held on Thursday nights from 5.30 – 9.30pm. There’s a wide variety of stalls selling clothes, jewellery, homewares and various arts and crafts. There’s also live music, food trucks and pop up bars.

St Kilda Twilight Markets are also held on Thursday nights but it’s open a little bit longer until 10pm. The twilight markets have a more alternative and festival like vibe with a smaller range of stalls selling clothes, toys, plants and other odds and ends. It’s got a diverse range of food trucks from different cultures and live music as well.

Tip: bring some mosquito repellant!

5. Take a leisurely walk along the Yarra River

The Yarra River runs through the city and you can spend a leisurely morning or afternoon enjoying a walk by the river.

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There are so many different types of trails but my favourite starting point is at Evan Walker Bridge near Flinders Street Station. Cross the river to Southbank Promenade and turn right. Enjoy the sights of the Yarra River on your right and watch people have a meal to your left.

Further up past Queens Bridge is the Crown Casino and you can continue walking across Clarendon Street onto the boardwalk at South Wharf Promenade. This will eventually lead you to the Melbourne Convention Centre and DFO. Alternatively, you can catch a tram on Clarendon Street back into the city.

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During the weekends this trail is quite popular and is filled with locals and tourists alike. There’s usually a busker or 2 for some light entertainment and it’s a great spot to sit on the grass and watch the world go by.

Have any other suggestions? Let me know in the comments below!

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Documenting 2015

Last year was a momentous year for me and I had the very best intentions to document it by using a 365 diary. However, as with many New Year intentions this quickly fell to the wayside as work, studies, wedding planning and life in general took over.

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When I had a spare moment, the last thing I wanted to do was put a page together and this made me feel worse, so my diary was eventually relegated to the back of my bookshelf. Out of sight and out of mind.

In hindsight it was a very ambitious project to take on last year and to beat myself up over it is just silly. This is my project and it’s okay to change it up as I need too.

This year, one of my goals is to get my photos off my computer by scrapping old trips and this diary fits in perfectly with this. I took a lot of photos last year and the fantastic thing about technology is that I can easily filter my photos by date to pop into the diary.

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As the pages of the diary are numbered rather than dated, the first thing that I did was mark out in pencil the first and last day of each month. Rather than work through each page of the diary sequentially, which would bore me to death, my plan is to go through my photos and start with the moments that jump out at me.

I always had the idea of using square photo prints from Sticky9 and patiently waited for a promotion before ordering my first set of prints. For every order, you get to select 27 images and they arrive in a bubble protected envelope. The prints themselves are printed on good quality, smooth paper with a matte finish. They are framed with a white border and are 4×4 inches or 10×10 cm.

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The prints are slightly thicker than normal paper so I’m a little bit worried as to how much they’ll bulk up the diary but I’m not intending on filling the entire diary up with prints, so we will see! Here is a look at some of the pages that I’ve put together and stay tuned as I work on this throughout the year!

Take a peek:

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To get 15% off your first Sticky9 order, use my unique code FRIENDZMOP. I only recommend products that I love and using this code means I’ll receive affiliate credit. Thanks for your support!  

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Yanchep Lagoon

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One of my goals this year is to get out of the house and see more of this beautiful state.

Here in Perth we are lucky to have so many beautiful beaches and on a perfect sunny day my husband and I made an impromptu trip up to Yanchep Lagoon.

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It was approximately an hour’s drive up to Yanchep and it went by quickly. It was interesting to see the scenery change from dense housing and busy roads to lush greenery and new housing developments. At one point we had to slow our car down for a pair of crossing emus!

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When we arrived, it was quite windy and the current was strong so we didn’t venture too far out. We spent a bit of time exploring on the reef and lying in the shallow water letting the waves wash over us. Later, we spent the rest of our time at the beach so we could have a bit of a swim.

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It’s been years since I’ve been swimming at the beach so it was nice to do something different for a change. Minus the sand, I’d forgotten how much fun it was! The sun and sea salt did me good and an added bonus was that the beach wasn’t crowded at all.

Yanchep Lagoon is a mini beach paradise and we will definitely be back with our reef shoes so we can venture further out and explore more!

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